Bill proposed in Congress to reinforce discrimination in adoption services

Earlier this week Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.) proposed legislation in the Senate and House that would allow child welfare services and adoption agencies to discriminate on the basis of religious beliefs.

The bill proposes “To prohibit governmental entities from discriminating or taking an adverse action against a child welfare service provider on the basis that the provider declines to provide a child welfare service that conflicts, or under circumstances that conflict, with the sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions of the provider.” …

Family Equality Council Executive Director Gabriel Blau has opposed the legislation, stating, “It becomes more evident with each advance we make towards equality, that the opposition would rather continue enforcing discrimination than protecting children. The implications of this bill are broad and sweeping and could serve as a barrier to placements not just with LGBT people but also with anyone who is single, has been divorced or who practices a different religion.”